Ever consider moving to Mars? The Star Spot recently did. Along with the University of Toronto Astronomy and Space Exploration Society, we recently co-hosted a panel event exploring one of the most fascinating questions in which science meets science fiction. Can we terraform Mars to make it habitable? And if we can, should we?

We were joined by a 5 member panel of experts, representing a wide range of backgrounds in order to approach the issue from all angles: physics, astronomy, philosophy, ethics, commerce and politics. Now over the course of 4 episodes we're joined at The Star Spot by each of our guests from that event.

We started, appropriately, with the red planet itself. In our last episode planetary scientist Paul Delaney updated us with the most current understanding of the characteristics of Mars pertinent to the planet’s suitability for life.

Today we look at the biology, turning the focus on us, that is, the biota of Earth. We’ll be asking what we need to change about Mars to make it friendlier to our kind of life? What techniques are available toward that end? And could Earth life itself play a key role in transforming the red planet?

Current in Space

Did you know dung beetles use the Milky Way galaxy for navigation. Don't believe us? Anuj will explain how it works. Then Tony shares how supermassive black holes may unlock the secrets of distant galaxies.

About Our Guest

Dr. Olathe MacIntyre received a B.Sc. in Biology at Dalhousie University. After working as an Onboard Marine Biologist in Alaska, she completed her M.Sc. in Space Science at the International Space University in France, and co-authored “Visysphere Mars: Terraforming Meets Engineered Life Adaption.” She received an internship at the world-class Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility at the University of Guelph, where she earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences. Her thesis explored the implications of hypobaric conditions for plant-microbe interactions in a Lunar or Martian greenhouse. She followed with a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the School of Engineering at the University of Guelph. She is currently with Science North, a science education centre, working to inspire the next generation of scientists through the wonders of space exploration.

Ever consider moving to Mars? The Star Spot recently did. Along with the University of Toronto Astronomy and Space Exploration Society, we recently co-hosted a panel event exploring one of the most fascinating questions in which science meets science fiction. Can we terraform Mars to make it habitable? And if we can, should we?

We were joined by a 5 member panel of experts, representing a wide range of backgrounds in order to approach the issue from all angles: physics, astronomy, philosophy, ethics, commerce and politics.

Now, over the next 4 episodes I’ll be joined at The Star Spot by each of our guests from that event.

We start with the science. For the debate over terraforming Mars depends in large part on the attributes of the red planet, on whether it harbours life, and on what technologies are possible to make the planet suitable for a human settlement and even civilization. To set the scene and to share his position in this great debate today we're joined at The Star Spot by planetary science Professor Paul Delaney.

The Star Spot is Now on the Radio!

The The Star Spot podcast is now The Star Spot podcast and radio show. That’s right. Your favourite astronomy program is now travelling through space, specifically the 1280AM frequency. Our broadcaster, CJRU The Scope at Ryerson, is now available on the radio dial, which means you can join us at The Star Spot at 1280AM every Sunday 8PM and Tuesday 6PM Eastern Time.

Current in Space

Scientists are getting closer to discovering what dark matter is made of... by ruling out one more possible candidate, explains Anuj. Then Dave announces Kepler has suddenly doubled the number of confirmed exoplanets in our galaxy. And with new research into the overview effect, Tony wonders if the life changing experience enjoyed by astronauts can be brought down to Earth.

About Our Guest

Paul Delaney is Professor of Physics and Astronomy at York University. He received his undergraduate degree from the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, and his graduate degree in astronomy from the University of Victoria in Canada. Professor Delaney oversees the York University campus observatory and its public outreach programs, and he appears regularly on York Universe, one of The Star Spot’s affiliated podcasts.

Thank you for joining here at The Star Spot for our special
100th episode. I want to take a moment to thank the 100 absolutely
stellar guests that have joined us on the show over the last 4
years. You have educated and inspired people of all ages with your
insight and enthusiasm. Thank you to our listeners for helping us
grow our production and for your thoughtful suggestions and
terrific online discussion. And of course, a very special thank you
to the amazing team of volunteers who make our project possible. It
has been a great experience working with each of you and I look
forward to what the next 4 years will bring.

Feature Guest: Feryal Özel

As we speak astronomers are busy building the world’s biggest
telescope. And when it becomes operational one year from now the
globe-spanning Event Horizon Telescope will be aimed at the
supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy, taking the
first ever portrait of this hungry beast lying at the very core of
the Milky Way. To help us understand how studying the shadow of
supermassive black holes will provide the most rigorous test yet in
our understanding of gravity, today we’re joined at The Star Spot
by The Event Horizon Telescope’s Professor Feryal Özel

The Star Spot is Now on the Radio!

The The Star Spot podcast is now The Star Spot podcast and radio
show. That’s right. Your favourite astronomy program is now
travelling through space, specifically the 1280AM frequency. Our
broadcaster, CJRU The Scope at Ryerson, is now available on the
radio dial, which means you can join us at The Star Spot at 1280AM
every Sunday 8PM and Tuesday 6PM Eastern Time.

Current in Space

Science fiction fans are familiar with a cloaking device that
hides alien ships from an enemy. Now Tony explains how a real life
cloaking device could help us hide our entire civilization from
prying eyes. And Anuj wonders if Saturn's moons may be younger than
we thought - and what that means for our exploration of the solar
system.

About Our Guest

Feryal Özel is Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the
University of Arizona. She received her Masters from the Niels Borh
Institute and her PhD from Harvard University, before working as a
NASA Hubble Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study
at Princeton. Her research focuses on neutron stars and black
holes, and the relationship of black holes and galaxies in the
early universe. Professor Özel is a Fellow of the American Physical
Society and a member of the Science Academy of Turkey.